Patrick Brown: It Was 'Mistake' To Pledge To Scrap Liberal Sex Ed Changes

TORONTO — Ontario's Progressive Conservative leader now says it was a mistake to pledge to scrap the Liberal government's sex-ed curriculum if his party wins the 2018 election.

In a letter distributed last week, just days before a byelection in the east Toronto riding of Scarborough-Rouge River, Patrick Brown wrote that a Progressive Conservative government would "scrap the controversial changes to sex ed."

The curriculum was updated last year, for the first time since 1998, but some parents complained that the government didn't consult them enough and others were angered by mentions of same-sex relationships, gender identity and masturbation.

Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown speaks to the Canadian Club in Toronto on June 7, 2016. (Photo: Nathan Denette/CP)

In an op-ed published by the Toronto Star, Brown writes that the Scarborough-Rouge River campaign letter went "too far" in saying he would scrap the curriculum because he will not.

The curriculum changes are "hot topics" in the riding, Brown says, and that while parents should be consulted, it doesn't mean "opening the door to intolerance."

"It is important to have sex education to combat homophobia, and raise important issues like consent, mental health, bullying, and gender identity," Brown writes.

"I want to correct the record before the byelection on Thursday, whatever the political consequences. I do not want people voting in Scarborough-Rouge River thinking I will scrap sex education. I will not."

"It is important to have sex education to combat homophobia, and raise important issues like consent, mental health, bullying, and gender identity."

A statement released Monday by Institute for Canadian Values president Charles McVety suggests Brown may have indeed lost the social Conservative vote.

"Patrick Brown campaigned to become leader on a pro-family platform, promising to protect children from the radical sex education curriculum of Kathleen Wynne," McVety wrote.

"It is always sad to see a politician be deceitful, but it is especially troubling when he is so brazen the he will flip three times on the same issue. We have been used, deceived and betrayed."

Brown's spokeswoman tweeted Friday that the letter was not a new announcement. Brown himself tweeted late that night that he "strongly" supports an updated curriculum "that takes into account changing attitudes and (the) world in which children now dwell" and said parents must be consulted, but didn't dispute that he planned to scrap the Liberal curriculum.

Brown spoke at protest last year

During the party's leadership race last year, Brown spoke at a rally protesting the sex-ed curriculum, saying, "Teachers should teach facts about sex education, not values," without identifying what parts of the curriculum he felt were teaching values.

The Liberals have alternately accused Brown of harbouring extreme social Conservative views and tried to paint him as "an old-style politician who just says whatever he thinks people want to hear."

Earlier on HuffPost:

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Sex Ed In Ontario

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In Grade 1, students should be able to identify body parts, including genitalia like the penis, testicles, vagina, vulva, and use correct
terminology.

By Grade 2, students will outline the basic stages of human development, including an infant, child, adolescent, adult, older adult, for example, and related bodily changes. They will also identify factors that are important for healthy growth.

In Grade 3, students will be able to describe how visible differences (like facial features, body size and shape, physical aids or different physical abilities. for example) and invisible differences (like learning abilities, personal or cultural values and beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, for example), make each person unique. Students will also learn ways of showing respect for differences in others.

In Grade 4, students will describe the physical changes that happen during puberty for males and females — the growth of body hair, breast development, changes in voice and body size, production of body odour, and skin changes, for example. They will also learn about the potential emotional and social impact of these changes.

In Grade 5, students will identify the parts of the reproductive system, and describe how the human body changes during puberty. They will expand their vocabulary with words like cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, endometrium, and clitoris, as well as scrotum, urethra, testicles, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens.

Students in the sixth grade will assess the effects of stereotypes — including homophobia and assumptions regarding gender roles and expectations, sexual orientation, gender expression, race, ethnicity or culture, mental health, and abilities, among others. They will also propose appropriate ways of responding to and changing some of these stereotypes.

In Grade 7, students will touch on consent and the importance of having a shared understanding with a partner about delaying sexual activity, for example. They will go over genital contact, vaginal or anal intercourse and oral sex (including choosing to abstain from these activities).
They will also go over reasons for not engaging in sexual activity and the concept of how consent can be communicated in a relationship.
Grade 7 students will also touch on the understanding of physical, emotional, social, and psychological factors that need to be considered when making decisions related to sexual health, including STIs, pregnancy, desire, pleasure, gender identity among others.
Students will also delve into areas of cyber-bullying, harassment and behaviours like sexting.

In Grade 8, students learn about all six genders including male, female, two-spirited, transgender, transsexual and intersex. They also cover topics of sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual).
When it comes to sex, students will learn about contraception and condom use for pregnancy, STI prevention, consent, and what it means to be in a healthy sexual relationship.
For further development, Grade 8 students will also touch on the benefits or attractions of being in a relationship, along with drawbacks and risks like breaking up.

In Grade 9, students will be able to describe how to prevent unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.
A further understanding of gender identities and issues around stigma, culture, religion, media, stereotypes, homophobia, self-image, and others.

Students should be able to describe factors that influence sexual decision making, including personal values, having limits, peer and family expectations, and myths and norms related to sexual activity or safe sex. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to use decision-making and communication skills effectively to support choices related to sexual health.
Discussions on misconceptions about sexuality in our culture, as well as what it means to be in a exclusive relationship.

In addition to cyber-bulling, students in Grade 12 will also cover stalking, sexual assault, abuse within a family, extortion, and workplace harassment, for example.
Further discussion on healthy relationships, developing healthy sexual relationships with others, and looking at relationships and stereotypes in the media.